Handbag



C. R. MORRIS Feb. 13, 1945.

HANDBAG Filed Dec. 51 1942 la 6M Faber? Morris- BY v v AT 0 NEY Patented Feb. 13, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENTfO-FFICE HANDBAG a.

v Claremont Robert Morris, New .York, 3?. Application December 31, 1942 Serial No:4 70;863

2. Claims. (Cl. v1"5(i- ---2,l9')

This invention relates to handbags, and particularly to handbags such as are carried by women and such as are provided with hinged frames at the part of the bag which opens and closes.

An object of the invention is to provide a handbag with improved meansenabling the same to be changed in appearance to conform to the attire or whim of the user.

A further object of the invention is to provide a'slip cover for the bag and improved means for gripping the same in place.

Another object ofthe invention is to combine the said gripping means with the frame so as to open and; close therewith in normal use of. the bag and have the appearance of being part of the frame. a

Again, an object of .the invention is to provide an assembly of adequate simplicity and of ease of manipulation whereby any woman may make substitution of slip cover and entirely without use of any tools to accomplish the purpose.

Yet again, an object of the invention is to enable-the :handbagto be utilized as a usualtype of-handbag with an over-top handle, or utilized,

asan under-arm bagwithout a handle or utilized as a shoulder supported-handbag.

Still further objects'ofthe invention will ap-- pear as thedescription progresses -bothby direct recitation thereof :andby-implicationfrom the.

' context. i

,Referring to the accompanying drawing in which like numerals of, reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a present invention; 7

Figure 2 is an end view of an upper portionof thebag and showing the samepartly-open;

Figure 3, is a similar end view, showing-the clamping orgripping frames in releasing positions and the slip cover somewhat lower than in assembled position; v 1

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a part of the corrugated spring or resilient member utilized with the gripping frames; and

Figure is a cross-sectional view through one A of the gripping frames, resilient member and showing a removable ornament applied thereto In the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated in said drawing, the reference numer- 9.1 III designates the pouch of a handbag the edges whereof at the opening for the pouch are secured as usual in hinged frame members I l [2. For convenience of designation, one of these handbag shown closed and embodying the features of the frame members will be arbitrarily called the rear frame member H and the --other will be called the front frame member l2; Each-frame member hastheusual top reach from the ends of "which depen'd leg portions or end reaches the basal parts 'of which are directed; toward and overlap each otherand hingedwhere overlapped upon'hinge-pins l3.- Any suitable catch or lock M isprovided on one frame member, as H, to engage the other framemember 12 nd hold the frame closed as; usual; but releasable to enable the user to cnlateh the sameand "swing-thefral'ne members apart when it isoesired to gain access to the interior of the pouch.

A slip cover 15 is provided to overliethe exte ricr of the pouch It}, said slip coverbeingofappropriate'size and shape to substantia'll-y fit the said-pouchandrhaintainedby the reeniorcement afforded by the pouch to fill out the shape of a 'rear-frame--member Hand another gripping frame hin ed to the fromframe member;- I2. 40

' handbag.-

handbag; -The slip cover; may accordingly be made of highly flexiblea'nd light-Weight material suchas Silk 3813111; cotton or wool'fabrics this feature enabling-the slip cover to match, harmoniz'e, or be of the same materialas a users garment. The-slipcover isremovable and re-- laeeable-anda user may have as many different slip eovers'as desired and thus beenabled to change the appearance of handbag being carried by utilization of the desired slip cover on the one Provision of suitable means to-ho-ld the edges of the slip cover corresponding to the edges of the pouch held-bythe frame is incorporated as part ofthe structure and of the present inven tionfi-ln carrying out a physical-embodiment-of this feature clamping or gripping frames 16 are providedwith one gripping frame hinged to the These'gi ipping frames each have a top reac'hand appropriate length and cross s'ection to conform to the top; reach-of the frame member towhich hinged; From the end of'tl etop reachof each therefrom. During the ordinary opening and closing of the bag, the main frames and the gripping frames remain closely associated in pairs and swing open and closed on the common pivot line represented bythe alined pivot pins.

Hinges 19 on the upper reaches of the gripping frames engage permanently in slots in the upper reaches of the main frame, and thus, when the end legs are released from the pivot pins, the gripping frames can be swung with respect to the main frame members as shown in Figure 3. This gives opportunity to situate the edges of the slip cover to underlie the said gripping frame which can then be swung back to gripping position. To assure a tight grip upon the margin of the slip cover, a gripping member, shown as a corrugated leaf spring 20 is carried on the inside face of the gripping frame and retained associated therewith in any suitable manner as by spot welding at one or more points. As a means for further distinctive characterization of the bag to conform to a desired color scheme or otherwise harmonize with the users attire, a removable ornament 2| may be applied to the top reach of the gripping frame. As shown particularly in Figure 5, a hook 22 on said ornament may be inserted through a prepared hole in the gripping frame and the inner part pressed to said gripping frame by the gripping spring for holding the ornament against inadvertent removal. When the'pressure is relaxed by swinging the gripping frame to its releasing position of slip cover as shown in Figure 3, the ornament hook will be sufficiently released to permit the user to change the ornament if desired.

The construction above described is conducive to utilization of an adjustable and removable strap handle or support 23 suitable punctured at 2 1 to engage upon pivot pins l3. The strap is applied to the pins before applying the legs of the gripping frame thereto which accordingly retain said strap from inadvertent disengagement therefrom. The strap may be applied to provide only a short loop thereof across the bag and thus act as a hand support for the bag, or may be applied with a long loop of strap exposed above the bag for use as a shoulder support for the bag. The lower ends of the strap are situated between the pouch and slip cover, thus not being exposed in either mode of use and not dangling when the strap is used as a short loop and hand support for the bag.

It may be particularly pointed out, in conclusion, that the gripping frames have a general position and appearanc as part of the normal type of bag frame so that the incorporation of my invention in a handbag does not give an impression of change from conventional constructions of bags, and yet a person may readily and without use'of tools change the slip cover to other colors or patterns of material for the finish on the bag, and at the same time may change the ornament 2|. to gain access thereto or to close the same like- Operation of the bag wis follows conventional bag construction and use. In addition, the handle or support construction is such that the same may be used either long or short or may be entirely removed and the bag then used as a conventional underarm bag. The invention contemplates other structural embodiments and i -not restricted to the specific details arbitrarily selected as the selected form for purpose of illustration and description herein.

I claim:

1. A handbag comprising a bag frame having legs hinged at their lower ends and having a cross head connecting the upper ends of said legs, a pouch member having edges thereof overlapping said legs and cross head of the frame, a gripping frame having a cross head and legs each having edge faces overlapping corresponding edge faces of the bag frame and each having front faces substantially the area of the corresponding front faces of the bag frame for overlying the same in substantial registration therewith, said cross heads of the bag frame and of the gripping frame being longitudinally hinged thereby enabling the legs of the gripping frame to be swung away from the lower ends of the legs of the bag frame for gripping the edge of the pouch member between the said cross heads. means for releasably securing the lower ends of the legs of the bag frame, and a corrugated spring coextensive with th cross head and legs of said frame and interposed between the bag frame and gripping frame and gripping the edge of the pouch member where said edges of the pouch member overlap said legs and cross head of the bag frame.

2. A handbag comprising a bag frame having legs hinged at their lower ends and having a cross head connecting the upper ends of said legs, a pouch member having edges thereof overlapping said legs and cross head of the frame, a gripping frame having a cross head and legs each having edge faces overlapping corresponding edge faces of the bag frame and each having front faces substantially the area of the corresponding front faces of the bag frame for overlying th same in substantial registration therewith, said cross heads of the bag frame and of the gripping frame being longitudinally hinged thereby enabling the legs of the gripping frame to be swung away from the lower ends of the legs of the bag frame for gripping the edge of the pouch member between the said cross heads, means for releasably securing the lower ends of the legs of the bag frame, said releasable means comprising hinge pins for the bag frame projecting outwardly therefrom and receiving said lower ends of the gripping frame thereon, and a handle also carried on said hinge pins, said legs of the gripping frame being situated outside of the handle and retaining the said handle on the hinge pins.

CLAREMONT ROBERT MORRIS. 

